Natural gnat and other insect repellent?

[TheBeardie]

This might be a surprise to anyone in a colder climate, but I'm having a gnat problem right now! On the warm days they are absolutely swarming the chickens, ducks and us. I've looked at a few different pages online. But this one had one of the largest list of suggestions.

https://thefrugalchicken.com/all-natural-ways-to-keep-flies-gnats-and-mosquitoes-off-your-chickens/

Has anyone tried any of this? Like planting Citronella or some sprays? What do you guys use to keep the gnats and or mosquitos away?

Adding pictures just because.

 

[Shadowfire]

I sprinkle chopped catnip and other non-toxic, potent herbs around the pen. It keeps bugs away and helps to mask the odor of poo.

 

[Shadowfire]

Also, you can put citronella geraniums outside the pen or out of reach of the fowl to keep mosquitoes and gnats at bay.

 

[Melodychick]

I’m having a gnat problem now too! Chickens won’t leave the coop and horses won’t leave the barn. @Thejperez Did you try any of the things in the article you linked? Find anything that helped? I have an open coop/run for our heat. I hung light color sheets on the south and west sides to block the sunlight since gnats don’t like the shade, so things are better inside, but I’d like them to be able to go outside some!

 

[TheBeardie]

I haven't tried anything yet. It's been a come and go problem. When I start trying stuff out I'll post it here.

 

[aart]

Fans....should disrupt them...works for mosquitoes too.

 

[Melodychick]

I’ll bet a fan would work! We had a cool front come through last night and now it’s real windy and no gnats! They’ll be back though. Unfortunately I don’t have power in my coop and an extension cord would run over my driveway, so may not be an option. Has anyone tried vanilla?
https://wholefedhomestead.com/use-v...ns-from-gnats-biting-flies-and-biting-midges/